Candidate is under fire

Aug 28 2009 by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

DEAR Editor, – I wish to commend the commitment and engagement of the Bridgend Gannochy and Kinnoull Community councillors in response to threats posed to the whole of Perth by the proposal from Grundon Waste Management to build a massive waste-burning power station in the heart of our community.

The community council have gone about their business diligently and thoroughly in scrutinising this planning application and the original outline consent.

PKC must consider the counsel’s opinion that has been provided carefully so that the outcome which best serves the public interest is achieved.

I would also like to commend all of the people from Perth and the surrounding area who have taken the time to write to the council to formally lodge their views and opposition to the incinerator application.

The number of people to do so is rapidly approaching the thousand mark.

Against this background of the broadest possible public opposition to the incinerator from politicians of all political parties, Perth’s civic groups, representatives of commerce and local business, it is very disappointing that the Conservative’s Westminster candidate should threaten this consensus with needless and unworthy party politicking.

Mr Lyburn’s latest intervention may demonstrate how well equipped he is to enter the yah-boo political fray which does so much to turn voters off from politics, and which so badly tarnishes Westminster’s reputation.

But on a matter which threatens the entire future lifeblood of our city, his sort of student union name calling demonstrates a lack of maturity and absence of judgement required of anyone seriously aspiring to represent our Fair City.

There is a job to be done to secure our future and I will continue to work with all parties towards that end.

Councillor Peter Barrett,

Perth and Kinross Council